it's very tornado-y here lately

Oh, hi everyone.  Sorry I've been a little MIA this week, I've been a busy bee...and trying to avoid tornadoes and stuff.

So, Kansas weather is crazy, y'all.

I'm sure if any of you have been watching the news lately that you've seen/heard about the tornadoes in Joplin, MO.  A tornado that pretty much wiped out the entire city.  Joplin is only a little over two hours from Kansas City.

Hundreds are still missing and just over 120 have been confirmed dead.

The images on the news look like something that should be in a movie and not in real life.

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Today at work, we had to take cover in the basement/storm shelter because funnel clouds were spotted just blocks away from the corporate offices that I work in.

It's one thing to be stuck at home in a tornado warning...but it's another being stuck in a basement with 300+ people and having no idea what's going on outside.

 

While I know that it's going to take quite a bit of time for Joplin to recover from this crazy storm, every little bit counts. 

 

At work we've gone through our apparel closets and are donating a bunch of clothes, as well as hosting donation drives for both money and other supplies needed.

 

If you'd like to make a much needed donation, please go here.

running club

So remember when I told you awhile back that I was joining a running club?

Well friends, it has started. And guess what?  I don't hate it.

I kind of like it, actually.

We meet every Tuesday at 6:30 and as luck would have it, the weather lately at 6:30 on Tuesday nights has been ideal for running outside.

Our first meeting was a little challenging for me...probably because I had boxed that morning and then had talked myself out of enjoying the 2 mile run that we were about to go on.

Our next gathering was focused on hills--which I was dreading in the beginning, but ended up enjoying after it was all said and done.

And last night we worked on pacing ourselves for the 5K that we're "training" for. 

(Let me just put it out there that I could run a 5K with out training.  I'm that good.  :) I joined this running club so that I will actually enjoy running more.  That, and it's fun to run with the same group of people every week!)

We ended up running just over 5 miles last night and you could say that I almost enjoyed it. 

It was beautiful outside.  I had some good tunes in my ears.  And my knees weren't hurting too terribly bad (they make weird sounds sometimes...).

This morning, however, was a different story.  I woke up to take Laila outside before I officially woke up to go to the gym, and I was a little hurty all over.

The stairs took a little longer than normal to go down and my muscles decided that they needed a break.

I had planned on going to lift weights this morning, but it just wasn't in the cards. 

I decided that skipping the gym was allowable this morning because I worked out twice yesterday.  I felt better about skipping when I saw this article online this morning:

5 Reasons to Skip your workout.

So, readers, do you ever feel guilty for skipping a workout? 

jewelry swap (a little late...)

I am sososososooo far behind.  I apologize!

A month or two ago I participated in a jewelry swap hosted by Jessica at Creative Index.

A few weeks later, I received a lovely package in the mail from Leigh at VeryLoveLeigh.  Take a look at what I got:

So fun! Thanks Leigh!!

She also has an Etsy store that is too cute!  Thanks Leigh for the goodies!!

mutha's day

I know I'm a tiny bit late, but I still had to tell y'all about mutha's day with my mutha (she likes it when I call her that).

Friday afternoon we did some shopping and my mom cleaned up!  She's still making a few purchases here and there for their new house, so since she needed some help spending money, I was right there to lend her a hand.

That evening we went to the Royals game.  They unfortunately lost...but it was buck night!  AND Fireworks Friday!  Which means that all pop, hot dogs, and peanuts are only $1!  Too bad I don't eat hot dogs (ever) or drink pop that often...

Saturday morning we went to one of my favorite breakfast places, Eggtc.  They have these delicious crepes (Crepe Dolce) with strawberries and mangoes that I sometimes dream about.

After a delightful breakfast, my mom, sister, and I headed downtown to the Farmer's Market. 

Once again, my mom went to town and bought a car load of plants and flowers.  My sister and I think my mom needs to work at a farmer's market (or somewhere like it), she knows her stuff!

Also, my sis and I got these beautiful flowers: 

(mind you we had to stand in line forever because this place is so popular, but it gave mom time to look around) 

We did a little more walking around after we had lunch at Blue Grotto so that my sister could find a baby book for her new little boy!

Yep, I'm going to be an aunt!!  I can't wait!

happy cinco de mayo!

Have I told ya'll how much I LOVE Mexican food? 

I do. 

I used to hate it. 

Can you even believe that?! 

I used to make my parents take me through McDonald's for a Happy Meal when they would go out for Mexican food.  That, or I would only eat tortilla's.

Today though, I'm happy to admit that I have overcome my dislike of Mexican food and now will proudly eat it every day of the week if possible.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, I decided that we should have a Mexican themed food day at work.

Margarita?  Yes please.  And it's only 10 AM.

Not to worry, I'm not drinking at work, but these taste like the real thing!  Check out the recipe from this book (that a coworker passed along):

Kosher salt

12 oz frozen limeade

6 oz orange juice

10 oz water

2 oz peach juice (or izze)

8 oz ginger ale

1 cup ice

6 lime wedges

Mix all of the above together (except for the lime wedges) and blend until smooth, or serve on the rocks. Garnish with salt and lime wedges.

I made a delicious batch of corn and black bean salsa.  Want to make your own? 

Ok!

Follow this recipe:

2 cans of black beans rinsed

1 can of corn rinsed

3 large tomatoes chopped

1/2 of a red onion chopped

1 lime (juice)

2 avocados chunked

1 jalapeno chopped

1 handful of cilantro (or around 1/2 cup)

Garlic salt

Throw all of this into a bowl and serve with corn chips.  Ole!

it's that time of year again

It seems that every spring I tend to do a little house project. 

This spring was no different as I decided that it was time to replace my nasty kitchen floors. 

The linoleum wasn't awful looking...unless you got up close and saw that sections were separating from the floor.  I threw down area rugs to cover up the really bad spots!

And, here's the new stuff!  It's very shiny.  And pretty.

I also had my contractor remove some carpet in my dining room so that the wood floors were carried out just beyond my kitchen. 

It's very nice if I do say so myself.